PANAMA CITY, Panama – No. 9 Venezuela defeated No. 6 Mexico, 3-1, in the finale of the 54-game Pan American U-23 Baseball Championship, becoming the inaugural champions of the Americas in the category.

Joscar Alvarez’s 3-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning was the difference.

Julian Ornelas (Diablos Rojos del Mexico – LMB) had given the Mexican National Team a 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning, launching a solo home run off Venezuelan National Team winning pitcher Jose Rodriguez (Los Angeles Angels Class A – MLB).

Venezuela swept through the Super Round and finished with an overall record of 8-1, while Mexico finished 6-3.

WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2018

The top four finishers from the Pan Am U-23 Championship — Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic – will be among the 12 nations battling for the world title at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup next year: